Regular exercise is critical for maintaining good body health. To remain healthy, the human body requires two and a half hours of vigorous and moderate aerobic activity weekly.
Anxiety and stress are eliminated as cognitive function is enhanced. Sleep is also magically improved through exercise. Another key effect is the improvement of blood circulation, thereby reducing the risk of heart disease by a large proportion.
Besides physical education teachers, many rarely subject their bodies to vigorous and moderate exercise despite eating a cholesterol-rich diet.
Teachers use various forms of transport to their places of work, such as motorcycles, vehicles, walking, and even bicycles. Though bicycles and walking appear inferior, they are the best for teachers.
I am worried about teachers who never subject their bodies to exercise since they will likely develop ailments that could be cured through simple exercise.
The teachers’ employer has improved the terms and conditions of service by introducing a commuter allowance. The allowance ranges between Ksh 4,000 and Ksh 16,000 and is paid promptly depending on one’s grade.
READ ALSO:
Hero’s welcome for shot put champ in Baringo after record-breaking win in school games
Some teachers have questioned why commuter allowances shouldn’t be uniform across all cadres since travelling is the same for everyone.
Teachers must dedicate some time to exercising their bodies to lose excess weight and become physically fit. It’s personally healthy for them and helps them execute their duties.
Research has shown that teachers who exercise their bodies have less exposure to pollution than car commuters and have amazing general body performance.
Regular exercise, especially cycling or walking, rewards the teacher with a healthy body.
Most teachers are so preoccupied with regular class tutorials that they have no time to do some aerobics, and that’s dangerous.
Exercises resolve many challenges in the school systems and should be embraced by all teachers.
It’s so sad that research carried out recently reveals that a good number of teachers have been affected by stroke and other heart diseases that would have been easily resolved by regular exercise.
As we move around our local villages, we find teachers who retired a long time ago, yet they are in sound health because they normally exercise by riding bicycles.
A few retirees I have recently visited stated that they have their own schedules for exercise, which accounts for why they are comfortable in their 80s and 90s.
The current teaching fraternity should have a progressive programme through which regular aerobics can be done.
By Hillary Muhalya
Muhalya is an experienced teacher based in the North Rift.
You can also follow our social media pages on Twitter: Education News KE and Facebook: Education News Newspaper for timely updates.
>>> Click here to stay up-to-date with trending regional stories
>>> Click here to read more informed opinions on the country’s education landscape
